Mexico is already taking drastic steps to address the problems within its gaming regulatory framework, ordering the removal of all card and roulette games from casinos.
Last month, SEGOB, which regulates the gambling sector, notified all casino operators in Mexico that card and roulette games would no longer be allowed on gaming floors, whether live or electronic.
This has been a grey area for several years, with the existing laws banning such games but more recent legal interpretations paving the way for their introduction over the last few years. Many casinos have in fact been given the green light to operate such games by individual legal rulings, rather than any new blanket legislation.
Consequently, the games available to players differ throughout the country and, along with the country’s dysfunctional licensing system, have contributed to confusion within the sector.
InterGaming has learned that a number of US-listed companies are now withdrawing equipment from the market and writing down expectations for growth in Mexico in light of the government’s decision.
One such company, Poker Tek, announced last week that it would be moving a portion of its gaming tables from Mexico back to the US, stating that although it believed the situation is “temporary” it cannot be sure of the ultimate outcome of the government’s action in Mexico.
There are concerns that Class III machines, which were introduced only a few years ago, could be investigated also.
